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It is unusual
to find a project that changes the tenor of a neighborhood, but RDM Development
claims that its latest project, Trio, at 650 W. Wayman St., is about to
do just that.

The development sits in the heart of a formerly industrial part of the
West Loop, christened the Fulton River District nearly a decade ago, as
the area began to change. Once dominated by railroad land and industry,
the quiet streets between the Chicago River and Halsted Street increasingly
have been dominated by new residential development, including many loft
conversions.

Trio will introduce an ultra-contemporary 209-unit condo complex to the
area. The development, as its name implies, has three parts: two seven-story
mid-rises and a 22-story tower, all separated by landscaped courtyards
with water features and reflecting pools. A four-story structure to the
north will have three levels of parking and one level containing 10,000
square feet of retail space. The roof of this structure will be landscaped
and will support a fitness facility and community center.

“I think
of Trio as a small Millennium Park," says Jim Plunkard, whose architectural
firm, Hartshorne & Plunkard, designed the project. “I mean that
in the sense that it repairs the site and the neighborhood both structurally
and functionally, and I would hope that others will continue this trend."

Trio is built almost completely of glass and steel with floor-to-ceiling
windows that should provide copious light and clear skyline views. The
complex will pay homage to Chicago-style architecture, but its various
components are arranged creatively to benefit both residents and the surrounding
neighborhood, according to Plunkard.
“For example, you can walk or drive around the entire project and
you won’t find the parking garage," says Plunkard somewhat
gleefully. “The varying grade level of the site enabled us to hide
the parking completely, yet make it easily accessible to the residents."

RDM’s Robert Mosky conceived Trio with the well being of its residents
first and foremost in his mind.

“We have created an environment where the residents can find nirvana
in their homes if that’s what they want," says Mosky, noting
that there is complete separation between the residences and other aspects
of the project.

“Yet all
of the benefits of urban living are just steps away," he says, referring
in part to the project’s proximity to the Loop, Randolph Street’s
restaurant row and a new Jewel grocery store to be built just north of
the site.

Unlike many new residential projects, where the residences rise above
several levels of parking, homes at Trio begin at the street level, with
landscaped courtyards between the building and a planned three-acre city
park, immediately west of the tower. The park will sit on land donated
by RDM.

Construction of Phase I will begin this fall, with delivery scheduled
for January 2007. Phase I consists of the two midrises (53 and 56 units),
and it also includes the parking and retail structure. Construction of
the 100-unit tower in Phase II will begin in spring 2006, with delivery
scheduled for winter 2007.

In addition to the community and fitness centers, building amenities include
heated indoor parking and secure, highly detailed lobbies with high-speed
elevators.
“The lobbies deserve special mention," says Plunkard. “They
contain natural stone finishes and a variety of warm colors, so that while
contemporary, they will convey a sense of intimacy and privacy."

Most of the condos at Trio have one or two bedrooms and one to two baths,
and some have dens. A few of the larger units on the upper floors of the
tower will be duplexes.
Chosen in part to accommodate the sleek progressive design emerging in
today’s market, some of the unusual unit amenities include bamboo
floors in living areas, cutting edge European cabinetry, glass mosaic
backsplashes, state-of-the-art kitchens and baths and large terraces.

“The uniformity of the exteriors allowed us to alternate the terraces
instead of stacking them," says Plunkard. “And this provides
each residence with at least a two-story upward view from the balcony."

Prices for one-bedrooms started in the $180s; two-bedrooms began in the
low $200s; and two-bedrooms with dens started in the low $300s at press
time. Indoor parking is $35,000 per spot.

Matt Garrison, of Coldwell Banker Residential, exclusive marketing agent
for Trio, says that a sales center will open across from the site, on
Desplaines Street, on Sept. 15. At press time a good portion of the Phase
I units at Trio, www.RDMHomes.com, had been sold, according to Garrison.

“Contemporary is where the market is," says Garrison, “and
Trio has just what the market is looking for.

Copyright 2018 RDM Development and Investment, LLC. All rights reserved.